Introducing Rhinoceros! A group exhibition at Haarlem Art Gallery

Introducing Rhinoceros! A group exhibition exploring themes of land, excavation, history, material & alchemy and the first in a series of new projects curated by Kristian Day and  David McLeavy.

Haarlem Gallery, Wirksworth
7th May - 5th June
Launch: Friday 6th May from 6pm

Artists:
Nathaniel Faulkner
Anna Hughes
Ian Jackson
Hannah Rowan
Jessica Wetherly

In the early 1820’s, a remarkable discovery was made in the hillside above Wirksworth. Known as the Dream Cave, this natural cavern on the hillside looked to house the remains of several animals, along with a series of minerals and rock fragments. Amongst the remains were that of a Coelodonta antiquitatis, better known as the Woolly Rhinoceros.

The discovery of these remains could be thought of as purely of archaeological interest, however it could point to a more expanded idea, that of time itself. The remains of an animal, once known for its physical prowess and stature, has been slowly transformed into delicate fragments that speak of a time lost to history. The discovery of something connecting us to the past allows us to think of our relationship with our present circumstance in different ways.
What remains will be excavated from our present in centuries or millennia to come, and how do objects of ancient history tell something of that time.

This exhibition, which takes its name from the discovery in question, explores our relationship with ideas of excavation, land preservation, history, alchemy and how stories can be told through objects.

We hope you can join us for the opening at 6pm at Haarlem Gallery, upstairs in the Red Lion Hotel.
Best Wishes from all at Haarlem Artspace